On Getting Older, Part 2

Exactly one week ago, I turned 26. I am completely at peace with this number; however, I have noticed a few things in the past week that made me think, “Wow! I feel older!" Cases in point:

1) My dear husband asked what I would like for my birthday. Without a thought, I made a list of around-the-house projects that are in dire need of completion. Goodbye, birthday presents! (For the record, he did take me out for an amazing birthday dinner.)

2) When my mother asked what I would like for my birthday, I replied “just come visit me in Spartanburg.” So she and Brian did visit! (With many gifts in tow…thanks, Mom!) I think once you reach a certain age, gifts-in-kind generate as much joy (maybe more) as an actual “gift.”

3) Hearing recent college grads complain about having to be at work at 8:30 a.m. makes me cringe. Seriously, children… get used to it. Stop complaining. You have a job...welcome to the rest of your life. You'll know "you've made it" when you start arriving at work at 6:45 or 7:00 a.m. just to have quiet time for concentration.


4) I have discovered that the, like, 18-22 age group, like, in general just, like, annoys me.

5) Last, but not least: I do not, for the life of me, understand this Twilight thing. Where to begin?
a) It’s basically Harlequin romance novel material – look no further than the local Piggly Wiggly for the story line. It’s there, and you can likely purchase your "stories" for $3.99 or less.
b) The previews are hysterical, and I don't think they are intended to be. Teenage vampires transforming into animal beasts?
c) I want to throw things at my TV when people interview Kristin Stewart. Her "I despise my fame" attitude is freaking pathetic. She could never work another day in her life and still be swimming in $$$ from the success of these pathetic love stories. Be gracious, dear. It may not last forever.

One day, dear Kristin may, like, get old...like, 26 or something.

A pro athelete with class?

Say it ain't so!

You all may have heard in the past few days about the little umpire whose call ruined a perfect baseball game. You know, the whole "bottom of the ninth, two strikes" scenario... and then BAM! The batter knocks one into the infield, where the ball was quickly scooped up and tossed to first base. The only problem was the umpire's call was just a moment too soon. The batter made it to base right after the ball was caught by the first baseman, but the umpire called "SAFE!"

Had I been the pitcher for the Detriot Tigers, I would have responded with a big 'ol "Oh no, you didn't!" However, this fella (I've never heard of him to be perfectly honest) Armanda Galarraga handled things with complete composure. What a guy!

Of course, the ump who made the cruddy call feels real bad. There were pictures plastered all over the morning news of his little red, tear-stained face. I felt genuinely bad for the guy. It was obvious he felt pretty bad too.

Moral of the story: We all make mistakes. We're all human. Being an expert doesn't equate to being perfect.

AND, the nice pitcher even received a consolation prize for being such a good sport!

Fun Stuff

Okay, so I got to thinking about the last blog and it just felt like a little black cloud.

A couple of really great things happened today. First, I went to my Group Power class at 5:45 this morning for a wonderful workout after a weekend full of gluttony. The instructor is so hyper and upbeat. He makes everyone smile. Anyway, the class is a weight training class with a full-body workout set to different tracks. I could help but tap my feet when our shoulder track was none other than this classic.

This morning, I drove to work with the window down because the humidity had not yet set in. I was going about 60-ish down Union Street (just asking to get busted) when this song came on -- and I truly thought, "This scene would be so much more appropriate if I were driving a T-Top Camaro." Needless to say, when I arrived to work my hairstyle matched that of Sister Christian.

JBunn on Getting Older

Well, it's June and we all know what that means...it's my birthday MONTH! I have been thinking a lot about age lately, for many reasons, but probably because I am surrounded by so many milestones. Friends and family members are graduating from college, having babies, getting married, getting lower car insurance premiums, worrying about health insurance...and dying. (Not trying to be funny--this kind of stuff will really make a lady think).

Over the past couple of days, I have made a few observations. By now, you may have realized that lists of my observations are a cornerstone of my meanderings. Here goes.

1) Why, at the age of 25 3/4 years, is my skin worse than when I was 14?
2) When did it become necessary to simultaneously whiten, creme remove, pluck, shave and faux tan? Why can't I just be pretty?
3) Why do I feel the ever-presence of "frenemies"? Seriously, folks...frenemy behavior should have ended in high school. Do you ever get the feeling that someone only talks to you or is kind to you when they want something from you? That is a frenemy. I try to avoid these people, but it doesn't always work.
4) Just when you think you have become an adult and no longer have to answer to people, you get another set of people bossing you around?
5) When did news anchors become advocates? They are not supposed to be advocates; their job is to report the news. There is no such thing as "fair and balanced." THE END.


On the bright side, ny new job is much less stressful. The house is finally starting to look like a home. Hopefully, I will soon find a "balance" so that I can have cheerful and upbeat posts soon. :)

Let's have a chat about personal responsibility

This morning, while engaging in my typical work-day routine, I was tuned into a local news station. A little segment on tips to lower your monthly cell phone bill was covered... and it got me thinking about personal responsibility. Here's why--

The story covered a woman who went over her allotted plan minutes by 590 minutes in one month. Her bill was $380. And for good measure, "7 On Your Side" stepped in to teach her how to deal with the cell phone company, and ultimately lower her bill. LOWER HER BILL--for services (aka cell minutes) she USED.

I'll tell you how to deal with the cell phone company -- DON'T GO OVER YOUR MINUTES! PAY YOUR DANG BILL.

On the way to work, I heard a commercial about getting out of debt. Some of the comments made in the ad said things like, "It's not your fault" and "Where's the bailout for the little guy?!" Here's some news for you: Max out your credit cards on trips, iPods that sync with a pair of tennis shoes, concerts and a flat screen TV? That's great! Don't blame it on ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF.

I am so sick of people taking to the internet to air their financial "dirty laundry." I know that times can get difficult. Lord knows we have scaled back in many ways over the past year. To be honest, I'm GLAD that we were forced to look at the way we were spending. Why?! Because we learned that we were eating dinner out 3 nights a week, simply because we could.

Y'all, we live in the South. We don't discuss money -- people with money don't discuss money, people without money shouldn't either. If you're having problems with budgeting, please do the following:

1) Step back and take a serious look at your finances. Really. Look at your online banking register. If you are like me and actually balance your checkbook, take a gander. What are you spending your money on? Meals out? Happy Hour? Trips? CDs/concerts/entertainment? Here's a tip: plan your meals for the week, go to the grocery store and stop going out. IT ADDS UP.
2) Learn how to budget. There are many resources online that can help you set a budget. Most people spend what they make. If you're not making much, you don't need to be spending much...period.
3) NEED VS. WANT. Entertainment and travel -- those are wants. Food from the grocery store -- NEED.

I am terribly sorry for such a rant when I haven't posted in weeks. This has truly been burning a whole in my nerves for a while!

Who needs a therapist when you have a blog?!

I don't have an exciting title, but things sure are exciting!

ARGH! I seriously forget that I have a blog sometimes. Things have really just reached an all-time-high on hectic-ness. I really hate to keep updating with things that are me-and-AL-centric...I really never intended for my blog to become one of...those sad "look at me, look at me" blogs. However, things have been really moving and shaking lately.

Between planning events, trying desperately to keep the ball rolling on the home renovation and preparing to switch jobs (OMG!) I feel like I can't keep track of what day of the week it is. Luckily, today was a classic Monday, so I was reminded right quick.

While it seems that every bit of exciting news in my life revolves around engagements and babies, I am happy to inform you that neither apply to me today. I have been offered a job with a wonderful organization doing big things in our community -- Partners for Active Living. Leaving United Way is certainly bittersweet. I LOVE my coworkers, the organization and the close connection to the community. I am so very excited to start a new chapter of my career and my life in Spartanburg. Even more, I am stoked to take on a new set of challenges around issues that I feel passionately about!

On the home front, the renovations are coming along... Probably not quite as quickly as I would like, but that's because I'm a complete control freak. I am ready to live in a home. I am exhausted from the "work site" feel of things. I do, however, have a huge appreciation for Allen and his talents. He has completely transformed this condemned mess of "house" into a real house. It is amazing. I am just SO ready to be finished and throw parties!

Today is my baby brother's birthday. He is 22, which makes me want to cry. He is a young man! It makes me an old woman ;)

Also, this weekend we'll attend my sister-in-law's college graduation at University of South Carolina. Again, I am in disbelief that she is graduating, as I remember meeting Addie as a high school cheerleader and debutante. Also makes me feel old!

In addition, (told you we're busy) Allen's brother, Adam, is graduating from high school this month! Makes me feel VERY old!

Life is grand!

Lady Gaga and A Bunn

Y'ALL! I forget that I have a blog.

My sweet husband is THE MOST precious man. I marvel at his funniness sometimes, and I seriously do not even mean this in a mean way AT ALL. He is just funny.

I'm going to take you straight to the scene. He had just traveled from the previously-mentioned-impromptu-fishing-trip-at-Edisto-Beach straight to Spartanburg and back into the truck to Tennessee. NICE.

Naturally, as we are traveling Interstate 85 through Atlanta (ARGGGHHHH), we get caught in parking-lot-style-standstill traffic. AWESOME. I had taken over the radio/cd player earlier in the trip (duh), so I was at the helm as DJ. No sooner than I start scanning through ATL's plethora of radio waves, THE LADY came over...LADY GAGA, and not JUST Lady Gaga, but Beyonce too. Oh yes, Telephone.

Here I am just singin' along, and A Bunn (in his blue tint offshore fishing sunglasses) looks me straight in the Michael Kors sunglass lenses and says, and I quote... "Jess, I'm so glad we're married."

I know...it sounds really sweet. What dear hubs was saying loud and clear, "Jess! I am SO glad we are MARRIED! and not just DATING! DAMN! Is this really how the women think?!?"

I have to say, I'm glad to be married to him, too. He's a cutie.



I guess I'm pretty lucky that I'm not trying to chase him down in the club, either :)